Everyone Has Hemorrhoids

Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, everyone has them. Hemorrhoids help control bowel movements. Hemorrhoids cause problems and can be considered abnormal or a disease only when the hemorrhoidal clumps of vessels enlarge.

Hemorrhoids occur in everyone, and an estimated 75% of people will experience enlarged hemorrhoids at some point. However only about 4% will go to a doctor because of hemorrhoid problems. Hemorrhoids that cause problems are found equally in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age.

About Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are vascular structures in the anal canal. In their normal state, they are cushions that help with stool control. The signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on the type present.

Internal hemorrhoids are usually present with painless, bright red rectal bleeding when defecating. External hemorrhoids often result in pain in the area of the anus. Read more...

Internal and External Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids originate above the dentate line. They are covered by columnar epithelium, which lacks pain receptors. They were classified in 1985 into four grades based on the degree of prolapse. Read more...

External hemorrhoids occur below the dentate or pectinate line. They are covered proximally by anoderm and distally by skin, both of which are sensitive to pain and temperature. Read more...

Hemorrhoids Treatment

Treatment of hemorrhoids is divided by the cause of symptoms, into internal and external treatments. Accurately classifying a patient’s symptoms and the relation of the symptoms to internal and external hemorrhoids is important.

Treatment guidelines are available from the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Read more...